This Strawberry Milkshake Bunny is a soft, pastel knit toy with a pink polka-dot dress, cream cardigan, red Mary Jane shoes, and a strawberry beret. She carries a tiny milkshake crossbody bag and comes with a separate standing milkshake and little strawberry treats for playful photos.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- m1L / m1R – make 1 left / make 1 right
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- dpn(s) – double-pointed needle(s)
- inc – increase
- dec – decrease
- rem – remaining
- tbl – through back loop
Materials
- DK weight yarn (smooth, non-fuzzy for clear stitches) in:
- Bunny body: light cream or oat (approx 35 g)
- Cardigan: buttery cream (approx 20 g)
- Dress main: soft strawberry pink (approx 25 g)
- Dress hem stripe and polka dots: pale cream + darker pink scraps
- Shoes and buttons: strawberry red (approx 15 g)
- Beret: pastel pink (approx 15 g)
- Milkshake cup: pink + cream + tiny green and red scraps
- Small strawberries and slices: pinks, reds, greens as scraps
- Needles:
- US 2.5 (3.0 mm) dpns or circular for magic loop (for all pieces)
- Notions:
- Toy stuffing (polyfill)
- 2 safety eyes, 6–7 mm black
- Pink embroidery thread or yarn for nose and mouth
- Sewing/embroidery needle and tapestry needle
- Stitch markers and row counter
- 3 small red buttons for cardigan front
- Optional: a bit of blush or colored pencil for cheeks
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approximate gauge: 28 sts × 36 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette in the round.
- With gauge above, bunny stands about 9–10 in (23–25 cm) tall from feet to top of beret.
Work firmly so stuffing does not show through.
Construction Overview
- Legs and body are worked in the round from the feet upward, then the head is shaped on top in one piece.
- Arms and ears are worked separately and sewn on.
- Dress, cardigan, beret, crossbody bag, standing milkshake, and small strawberry pieces are all removable accessories.
- Small details (polka dots, strawberry seeds, facial features) are added with duplicate stitch or embroidery after knitting.
Bunny Body
Legs and Feet (make 2)
Using red yarn and US 2.5 (3.0 mm) needles, CO 8 sts. Distribute over dpns, join in the round, being careful not to twist.
Sole and Shoe
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around – 24 sts
Rnd 3: knit
Rnd 4: k2, kfb around – 32 sts
Rnds 5–7: knit (shape the shoe barrel).
Rnd 8 (toe shaping): k2, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 9: knit
Rnd 10: k1, k2tog around – 16 sts
Change to bunny body color (cream).
Rnds 11–13: knit (ankle).
Rnd 14: k2, kfb around – 21 sts
Rnd 15–22: knit (leg tube, approx 2 in / 5 cm long).
Break yarn, leaving sts on holder or spare needle after stuffing the foot and lower leg firmly.
Work the second leg the same, but do not break yarn; you will join for the body.
Join Legs and Work Body
With working yarn from second leg:
Rnd 1: Knit across 21 sts of second leg, CO 3 sts, knit across 21 sts of first leg, CO 3 sts, place marker for start of rnd – 48 sts total.
Rnds 2–16: knit in the round (straight body tube, about 2.5 in / 6–6.5 cm).
Rnd 17 (waist shaping): k6, k2tog around – 42 sts
Rnds 18–20: knit
Rnd 21: k5, k2tog around – 36 sts
Rnd 22–24: knit
Rnd 25 (shoulder shaping): k4, k2tog around – 30 sts
Rnd 26: knit
Begin stuffing body firmly as you go and continue to add stuffing up through the neck and head.
Rnd 27 (neck): k3, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 28: knit
Head
Rnd 29 (increase for head base): k3, kfb around – 30 sts
Rnd 30: knit
Rnd 31: k4, kfb around – 36 sts
Rnd 32: knit
Rnd 33: k5, kfb around – 42 sts
Rnds 34–42: knit (smooth head sides; about 1.75 in / 4.5 cm tall in total).
Place safety eyes between Rnds 37–38, about 7 sts apart at the front. Position them so the face is centered above the body.
Rnd 43 (begin head decreases): k5, k2tog around – 36 sts
Rnd 44: knit
Rnd 45: k4, k2tog around – 30 sts
Rnd 46: knit
Rnd 47: k3, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 48: k2, k2tog around – 18 sts
Stuff head very firmly, smoothing shape.
Rnd 49: k1, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnd 50: k2tog around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, thread through rem sts, pull tight to close, and secure.
Arms (make 2)
With bunny color, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnds 2–4: knit
Rnd 5 (hand taper): k2, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnds 6–16: knit (arm tube, about 2.75 in / 7 cm).
Rnd 17: k2tog around – 6 sts. Stuff lightly, leaving shoulder end a bit softer.
Break yarn, draw through rem sts, pull closed. Leave tail for sewing.
Sew arms to body just below neck, slightly angled forward so paws rest naturally at the sides of the dress.
Ears (make 2)
With bunny color, CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (WS): purl
Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb – 10 sts
Row 3: purl
Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb – 12 sts
Rows 5–16: work in stockinette (knit RS, purl WS).
Row 17 (taper): ssk, k8, k2tog – 10 sts
Row 19: ssk, k6, k2tog – 8 sts
Row 21: ssk, k4, k2tog – 6 sts
Row 23: ssk, k2, k2tog – 4 sts
Row 25: ssk, k2tog – 2 sts
Cut yarn, pull through rem 2 sts, fasten off. Fold ear slightly lengthwise and sew base closed a little to give gentle curve.
Attach ears symmetrically on top of head, leaving space in the center for the beret. Tilt slightly outward.
Tail
With bunny color, CO 6 sts. Knit 4 rnds, then k2tog around – 3 sts. Break yarn, pull through sts, stuff lightly and sew to lower back.
Face Embroidery
Using pink yarn or embroidery thread:
- Stitch a small horizontal triangle for the nose centered between eyes, a few rounds below.
- Add a short vertical line down and two tiny curves for a simple smile.
- Optionally, add a dot of blush on each cheek.
Strawberry Milkshake Dress
Worked in the round from hem to bodice.
With hem-cream yarn, CO 120 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 rib for neat hem.
Rnd 5: knit, changing to main pink.
Rnds 6–22: knit (softly flared skirt; about 2.5 in / 6 cm).
Rnd 23 (decrease into bodice): k3, k2tog around – 96 sts
Rnds 24–26: knit
Rnd 27: k4, k2tog around – 80 sts
Rnds 28–30: knit
Rnd 31: k3, k2tog around – 64 sts
Rnds 32–34: knit
Rnd 35 (waist): k2, k2tog around – 48 sts
Rnd 36–38: knit.
Split for back opening and bodice (worked flat now):
Row 39 (RS): k24, turn, place rem 24 sts on holder.
Row 40 (WS): purl.
Rows 41–46: work in stockinette on these 24 sts. BO loosely for front neckline.
Return held 24 sts to needles.
Row 39 (RS back): k24.
Rows 40–46: stockinette. BO.
For straps, pick up 4 sts on each front top corner with pink. Work 12 rows in garter (knit every row), then BO and sew to back neckline edges, crossing slightly at back if desired.
With darker pink scrap, embroider small French-knot polka dots scattered on skirt, mirroring the photo. Keep them spaced evenly.
Cream Cardigan
Worked flat from bottom up in one piece, then sleeves are picked up.
With cardigan cream, CO 52 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k2, k2, p2 to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2 (WS): k2, p2, k2 to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for 6 rows (bottom rib).
Change to stockinette, keeping 2 sts in garter at each front edge for button bands:
Row 7 (RS): k2, k to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 8 (WS): k2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Work Rows 7–8 until piece measures about 2.25 in (5.5–6 cm) from cast-on.
Next RS row (divide for armholes):
k12 (left front), BO 4 sts (armhole), k20 (back), BO 4 sts, k12 (right front).
Work each section separately in stockinette, still keeping 2 edge sts in garter on both fronts, until armhole depth is about 0.75 in (2 cm).
For each shoulder, BO 10 back sts and 6 front sts, then seam shoulders.
Sleeves (pick up)
With RS facing, pick up approx 26 sts around each armhole using cardigan cream.
Work in stockinette in the round for 10–12 rnds (short, mid-arm sleeves).
Finish with 4 rnds of k1, p1 rib, then BO.
Sew side seams and underarm seams neatly.
Sew 3 small red buttons down the right front band; on the left band, work small yarn loops or use the natural gaps between sts as buttonholes.
Strawberry Beret
With pastel pink, CO 8 sts on dpns. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: knit
Rnd 2: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 3: knit
Rnd 4: k1, kfb around – 24 sts
Rnd 5: knit
Rnd 6: k2, kfb around – 32 sts
Rnd 7: knit
Rnd 8: k3, kfb around – 40 sts
Rnd 9–13: knit (beret top).
Rnd 14: k3, k2tog around – 32 sts
Rnd 15: knit
Rnd 16: k2, k2tog around – 24 sts
Rnd 17: knit
Work 5 rnds k1, p1 rib for brim, then BO loosely.
Tiny Strawberry on Beret
With red, CO 6 sts, knit 4 rows, then k2tog across – 3 sts. Cut yarn, pull through. Embroider 3–4 tiny cream “seeds”. With green, add a few small stitches at the top for leaves.
Sew the strawberry to one side of the beret brim, slightly off-center.
Milkshake Crossbody Bag
Cup
With pink, CO 18 sts, join in the round.
Rnds 1–8: knit (cup sides).
Rnd 9: k1, k2tog around – 12 sts
Rnds 10–11: knit.
Cut pink. With cream, pick up 12 sts from top and knit 4 rnds.
Next: (k2tog, k1) around – 8 sts
Next rnd: k2tog around – 4 sts. Stuff lightly, cut yarn, pull tight for swirly top.
Straw and Berry
With light pink, make a tiny 4-st I-cord about 1 in (2.5 cm) long for the straw; sew into the cream top at a slant.
Make a very small strawberry as for beret but shorter; add green stitches and sew at the base of the straw.
Strap
With pink, CO 3 sts and work I-cord until long enough to cross bunny’s body comfortably (about 10–11 in / 25–28 cm). Attach ends to each side of the cup to form a crossbody bag.
Standing Milkshake Toy
Work as for the bag cup but slightly taller:
With pink, CO 20 sts, knit 10 rnds. Decrease: k3, k2tog around – 16 sts; knit 2 rnds.
Decrease again: k2, k2tog around – 12 sts; knit 2 rnds.
Work cream swirl top as for the bag, stuffing more firmly. Add straw and strawberry the same way.
The standing milkshake should be just taller than the bunny’s shoes when placed beside her.
Small Strawberries and Slices
Whole Strawberry (1 large)
With pink or red, CO 8 sts. Knit 1 row, then:
Row 2: kfb across – 16 sts
Rows 3–6: stockinette
Row 7: k2tog across – 8 sts
Row 8: k2tog across – 4 sts
Stuff lightly, pull yarn through rem sts and secure. Embroider tiny cream seeds. With green, add a star of 5 short stitches for leaves.
Strawberry Slices (2–3 pieces)
With pink, CO 6 sts. Work in garter (knit every row) for 6 rows, shaping an oval by increasing 1 st at each edge on the 2nd row and decreasing 1 at each edge on the 5th row. BO. Embroider seeds and a small green nub on one end.
Scatter these around the bunny’s feet when styling photos.
Finishing & Dressing
- Weave in all ends carefully.
- Place dress on bunny first, then cardigan.
- Position beret slightly to one side of the head, between the ears. You may tack it lightly in place with a few stitches if desired.
- Put the crossbody milkshake strap over one shoulder so the cup rests at hip level.
- Set the standing milkshake beside her and arrange the small strawberries and slices on the table or floor for a playful, curiosity-sparking scene.
Your Strawberry Milkshake Bunny is ready for pastel, natural-light photos on a sofa or wooden table, showing off every clear, tiny knit stitch just like a real handmade product shot.
